Confession of Faith - January 3, 2004

SCRIPTURAL VERIFICATION

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 10:8-10)

CONFESSION

OF FAITH

Series 3.1.3 - #3

Words of Light Upon the Face of Ingratitude

January 3, 2005

God gave me a heart of thanksgiving. I now express my appreciation for the things that he has done for me. I did not arrive in this place of myself. God is responsible for bringing me here. Everything that he has allowed has been for my good. The devil meant things in my life for bad, but God meant them for good. He has allowed me to avoid many bad things that the evil one planned for me. I am thankful. I will not allow my gratitude to remain unexpressed, for appreciation that is not expressed is dead. The usual way of expressing gratitude is by thanksgiving. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. I write a thank you note with the voice of thanksgiving today. I am blessed. God has blessed me. I cannot really say that I am thankful if I will not give thanks to the one who did things for me. It is impossible for thankless people to be divinely blessed. One secret to being successful is thankfulness. If I will not give thanks for the things I have now, I will not be thankful if I am successful.

I must learn to be thankful in the small things and then will God bless me with greater things. I am aware of the many small things that God does for me. He is developing hearts that are aware and appreciative of him and the things that he does for them. God's people must learn to be grateful. Some cannot praise him freely because they are not thankful. They are not aware of the big part that he performs in their livelihood. Without him, they can do nothing. I will go and teach them awareness of God and his blessings and a readiness to acknowledge him and those blessings. When they acknowledge God and his blessings, they publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of his wondrous works. I will go and say, "Publish the Lord's goodness and his many blessings." The people shall offer thanksgiving unto God and call upon him in the day of trouble, and he will deliver them, for they have glorified him. Those who forget the Lord shall be torn in pieces, and there will be none to deliver them. Whoever offers praise, glorifies God.

In songs, I praise him and his glorious name. I magnify him with the voice of thanksgiving. I sing unto the Lord and let a joyful noise to the rock of my salvation be proclaimed in the earth. God is my maker; therefore, I kneel before him. I bow down and worship the King of kings. Jesus is my God, and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep of his hand. I hear his voice today and do not harden my heart. I will make a joyful noise unto the Lord. I serve him with gladness. I come before his presence with singing. Jesus is my God. He made me. I did not make myself. I enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. I will be thankful unto him and bless his name. God is good. His mercy is everlasting, and his truth has endured unto my generation. I offer praise for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men. All the people will sacrifice with the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare his works with rejoicing.

Hebrews 10:22 - 23

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.